Adventure Travel Photography Blog
I recently visited Vancouver and spent most of my time adventuring on its west coast in Ucluelet and Tofino. While I prefer small towns like these, city goers should not overlook beautiful Victoria!
There ae many things to do in Victoria for all tourists, from families to solo travelers. I saved one day of my weeklong trip to Vancouver Island for a self-made walking tour of the city.
TAKE A TOUR
Cusco, a UNSECO World Heritage Site, is situated at 11,152 feet high in the Andes Mountains of Peru. Once the capital of the Inca Empire, Cusco is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the Western Hemisphere.
The bustling, mountain city of 500,000, features remarkable Inca stonework dating back to the 13th century as well as beautiful colonial architecture from the Spanish conquest in the 16th century.
Being the gateway to Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Modern Wonders of the World, Cusco attracts millions of tourists a year. It’s history and culture, gastronomic delights, and tremendous natural landscape afford tourists many things to do in Cusco.
Plan at least three days to acclimate to the high altitude and explore the city and Sacred Valley. Add more time for visiting Machu Picchu and hiking through the spectacular terrain.
EXPLORE!
During my first visit to Lima, which was a short layover on our way to Machu Picchu 15 years ago, we spent most our time in the historic district wandering around the Plaza de Armas which features the Lima Metropolitan Cathedral, the Museo del Pisco, and the Palacio de la Municipalidad that includes a museum and the changing of the guards at noon daily.
While the historic district is interesting, it is not as upscale or safe as Miraflores, a district of Lima home to many shops, fine dining, luxury hotels, and a lovely boardwalk. Thus, during our next layover, this time on our way to the Peruvian Amazon, we spent a day exploring Miraflores.
EXPLORE!
Dauphin Island is an Alabama town located on a barrier island of the same name. The town is part of the Mobile metropolitan area, and the island helps define the mouth of Mobile Bay. Dauphin Island is reached by the scenic, three-mile Gordon Persons Bridge.
Originally known as Massacre Island, it was renamed to Dauphin Island in honor of Louis XIV of France’s great-grandson and heir, known as the dauphin for the dolphin on his family crest. While dauphin means dolphin in French, dauphin was the title given to the heir apparent of France, Louis XV.
Though the Spanish first discovered and mapped the island in 1519, the French were the ones who mistakenly named it Massacre Island in 1699 after finding a large pile of human skeletons which was actually an Indian burial mound.
At the end of the French and Indian War, Dauphin Island was ceded to the British in 1763. After the American Revolutionary War, Dauphin Island became part of the Province of West Florida, controlled by the Spanish.
It wasn’t until the early 1800’s after Spain and the United States signed the Treaty of San Lorenzo that settlers began migrating to Alabama from the Southeast and took the land away from the Indians.
By the Civil War, Dauphin Island was controlled by the Confederacy and captured by the Union Army during the Battle of Mobile Bay.
Today, this charming bayfront town is known for its laid back and natural setting.
EXPLORE!
Looking for a beach vacation over spring break, a fishing trip in the Gulf of Mexico over the summer or simply an easy get away? Look no further than Gulfport, Mississippi. With a population of roughly 73,000, Gulfport is the second largest city in the state.
It takes its name from being a port on the Gulf Coast of the Mississippi Sound. Gulfport is rich with civil war history, claims six miles of sandy beaches, and is a marine enthusiast’s paradise.
Though quieter than coastal cities like Gulf Shores, Gulfport still has many things to do including dining, shopping, and gambling. The city is just over an hour drive from New Orleans, and its international airport supports over 800,000 travelers annually.
While visiting Gulfport, consider some of the following activities:
EXPLORE!
Believe it or not, Gulfport is the second largest city in Mississippi. As a result, it offers a variety of entertainment and eateries. During our two weeks competing in horse shows at the Harrison County Fairgrounds, we tried many places to eat in Gulfport.
Some of the restaurants are in downtown Gulfport while others are closer to the fairgrounds, but these are a few that made our list.
DIG IN!
Well, I needed a getaway. I was in Dallas for almost six weeks and was starting to go stir crazy! While I was hopeful to sneak in an international hiking trip, I just couldn’t get an affordable one organized in a short time, so I retraced my steps to Safety Harbor, Florida.
In 2022, during my jaunt around the southeast, and mostly Florida, I made a brief visit to Safety Harbor. I intended to stay a few days, but the warm March temperatures for me and Annie in VANgo coupled with horses coming back into my life, curtailed our adventures. I guess that’s the beauty of having a mobile home, or more specifically a Sprinter in my case…you can come and go.
So, we left, but I always thought I’d like to visit the area again. Fast forwarding to January in 2024, I visited again. This time on a girls’ trip with three friends from the south of Florida joining me. Ironically, it was not too hot. In fact, it was ridiculously cold!
I had so much fun fishing in Loreto and kayaking in the Everglades, I had hoped to include both activities in Safety Harbor, while also exploring the cute downtown, tasting the local cuisine, soaking in the history, enjoying the arts and more. Though the weather kept us off the water, at least it was warmer than Texas, and we found plenty of other things to do in Safety Harbor and the Tampa Bay Area.
EXPLORE!
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, Christmas in NYC. Well, to be fair, any day in New York City when the Christmas lights shine bright is an amazing time to visit the Big Apple. I never tire of New York. It is my favorite city in the world. As a result, I try to visit New York City every few years. Fortunately, my friend Tina is usually game.
This December in New York City we kept some traditions and added in some new. There is never a shortage of things to do in NYC. As always, we went to some dinners and shows, strolled through Central Park, admired the Christmas lights, and popped into a few museums.
But we also added visiting the library, some other parks, and some famous breakfast and lunch places into our itinerary too. We even tried staying in a different part of Manhattan, but by the time we organized this trip, affordable hotels in convenient locations were limited at best.
‘TIS THE SEASON
For our third annual girls hiking trip, we visited Mena in the Northwest corner of Arkansas. We normally have a group of 5 or 6, but schedules weren’t aligning, so Carol and I just drove from Dallas to Mena in hopes to soak in some fall colors. The short four-hour drive took us on highways and backroads, and we arrived just before dark.
I was in the area briefly thirteen years ago during my year-long road trip following scenic byways, and I’ve wanted to return for some leaf peeping. Unfortunately, this early November weekend didn’t bless us with vibrant reds and oranges, but we still saw some autumn colors and enjoyed ourselves around town.
Mena, the county seat of Polk County, Arkansas was founded as a railroad town in the 19th Century. It is situated amid the mountains of Ouachita National Forest. Mena has a checkered past. It was once called the sundown town for its unacceptable treatment of African Americans. It was also in the news a lot for its role in a drug-smuggling operation and the Iran-Contra Scandal.
Today, while it has a diversified economy of agriculture and manufacturing, it has become a tourist destination due to its numerous recreational opportunities available in the surrounding national forest and state parks.
EXPLORE!
After escaping Hurricane Norma whose rains flooded the dirt streets of Cabo Pulmo, we arrived in Loreto at dusk. The drive past cacti forests with views of mountains and the ocean was pleasant, as was the weather in Loreto. We had nothing planned, but soon found out there are many things to do in Loreto.
EXPLORE!